Canton, Michigan who had turned 114 on Independence Day. Gibson is one of the oldest people in the world – the oldest, Ethel Caterham of England, is 115 – and she shared some of her keys to longevity with the magazine through her family. Among her notable secrets: eating lots of potatoes.
In early July, People magazine published a feature about Bonita Gibson, a resident of the Waltonwood Carriage Park community in
Gibson became particularly fond of potatoes because her late husband worked in the Idaho potato industry for decades. The article and Gibson’s unusual advice for a long life went viral online and caught the attention of the team behind the 72-foot long Big Idaho Potato Truck. The “Tater Team” loved Gibson’s mindset and wanted to find a special way to celebrate her and her fondness for spuds.
Gibson had already been feted on her birthday itself when she rode in the local Independence Day parade. Then, on Aug. 4, she was the center of another celebration when the Big Idaho Potato Truck visited her community, along with the truck’s mascot, Spuddy Buddy. The truck, which was launched in 2012 by the Idaho Potato Commission, is on its 13th cross-country journey carrying a 4-ton Idaho potato.
“Bonita loved the experience,” said Sara Bailey, senior regional director of sales for Waltonwood communities. “This month was a busy one for her from appearing in Plymouth’s Independence Day Parade on her actual birthday to now having a 72-foot potato truck roll into town just for her. She has said she’s so grateful for the experience and feels incredibly loved by not only the Waltonwood team, but by everyone who has helped make her 114th birthday such a memorable one.”
The celebration included a pop-up action station and a fresh potato wedge bar truck, plus take-home items like T-shirts and giveaways provided by both Waltonwood and the Potato Truck team. Waltonwood chefs also prepared a special potato-themed menu for Gibson and the other Waltonwood residents to enjoy.
“Everyone loved it and thought it was such a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Bailey said. “In fact, after the truck left, Bonita and the other residents kept the celebration going. It’s safe to say they’re all lifelong Idaho Potato fans now.”
Bailey said Gibson has been a resident of Waltonwood Carriage Park for more than a decade, and her love of potatoes became “something we have all come to know and love about her.” When the opportunity to celebrate with the potato truck arose, Bailey said, “we knew we had to jump on it and make it happen no matter what.”
“Whenever we have the chance to bring extra joy to a resident, we do everything we can to make it happen,” Bailey said. “Our residents are like family, and we love creating special moments that make them smile.”
In addition to the potato celebration and the parade, Gibson also received a visit from Anne Marie Graham-Hudak, a Canton Township supervisor, for a special proclamation ceremony honoring her on Aug. 14. The community celebrated with Gibson, enjoying refreshments and appetizers.
How Waltonwood Honors Milestone Birthdays With Creative Community Events
Among other recent notable birthdays in Waltonwood communities, Neva Sutton, a resident of the Waltonwood Twelve Oaks community in Novi, Michigan, turned 101.
“Our team worked with her family to create an entire day filled with things she loved including a special painting activity and receiving a bouquet of her favorite flowers – sunflowers,” Sutton said. “Our Life Enrichment manager also hired a classical pianist to play her favorite songs for her and her friends to listen to, got taken to Buddy’s Pizza (also her favorite), and hosted an afternoon root beer float social. Finally, to end the celebrations, Neva played Wii with her friends – another favorite activity of hers.”
Bailey said the celebrations are natural extensions of Waltonwood’s culture.
“Birthdays are always a big deal at all of our Waltonwood communities and every resident is celebrated with a cake, baked in-house by one of our pastry chefs,” Bailey said. “Our Life Enrichment team always goes above and beyond to make sure each resident feels special and is celebrated properly. It’s extra special for us to hone in on something that brings them joy, such as the potato in Bonita’s case, and we love going above and beyond for our residents.”
About Waltonwood Senior Communities
Waltonwood provides elegant housing and a wide spectrum of services and care options. Each community features unique architecture and impressive landscaping, and provides residents with a maintenance-free lifestyle so you can enjoy all the comforts of your own home.
We are proud to offer residents Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services in Michigan, North Carolina, and Virginia. Available Michigan locations are based in Novi, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, and Canton. North Carolina offers communities in Cary, Charlotte, and Raleigh, and our Virginia community is in Ashburn.
Our locations are designed to reflect the local communities and give residents a deeper sense of home and familiarity. We believe that our senior communities should offer a sense of comfort. You should feel welcome and relaxed, and Waltonwood strives to maintain a balance where you are independent and still have all the support you need.